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Gullah Geechee task force and CDC report progress on preservation, planning and community programs
Summary
The Gullah Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force and the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC reported progress on heirs' property support, flexible land‑use provisions, financial education series and a wayfinding app; staff and the CDC outlined staffing shifts and a transition of several recommendations for implementation.
Leaders of two Gullah‑focused bodies briefed the Hilton Head Island Town Council on July 15 about work to preserve cultural heritage and support neighborhood revitalization.
Lavonne Stevens, chair of the Gullah Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force (S15), summarized the task force’s 2024 activity: six public meetings, 37 recommendations from the Walker collaborative (a majority activated), targeted efforts on heirs' property support, expedited permitting and flexible land‑use provisions, and programs for youth engagement and cultural tourism. "We are models for addressing some of the challenges in cultural preservation," Stevens said, adding that 23 of the task force’s 37 recommendations have been activated and some actions will transition to the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC for future implementation.
Shirley 'Peaches' Peterson (S16), chair of the Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods CDC, described the CDC’s first year: community strategic‑planning sessions, a financial education series labeled "Money Talks" that produced measurable banking outcomes for participants (including a $50,000 small‑business line of credit), and partnerships to deploy an eight‑stop wayfinding app and website to highlight historically significant sites. Peterson said staffing changes (the assignment of Sharonica Stewart as principal planner/project manager) will improve continuity with the Gullah community.
Council members and staff praised the progress and asked for continued collaboration on district planning, the LMO rewrite and aligning priorities with the adopted strategic action plan. The CDC noted plans to use grants and community foundation partnerships to support longer‑term funding.
What’s next: the CDC will continue implementing the task force recommendations, refine the wayfinding app with a planned September launch, and coordinate with staff on district planning and resources to carry forward the remaining recommendations.
